Understanding
the meaning of the Nazarite vow is extremely important to the committed
Christian believer. It is a guide for living a fulfilling and victorious
life. Summarized in one sentence, living the Nazarite Vow is the putting
away of hindrances in order that something more important and very pleasing
to God might take place in our lives.

Abstaining
from wine and strong drink

The complete abstinence from grapes in that day was representative
of giving up worldly pleasures, for the fruit of the vine symbolized
life's frivolity. Not only was intoxicating drink withheld, but also
the chamar,
which was a sweet grape juice that symbolized the sweet things of the
world. In
other words, wine, which is made from rotten (fermented) grapes
represents worldly pleasures found in the rotten, putrefied areas
of a worldly life. Nevertheless, God-given pleasures in which a
person may partake without guilt of sin were likewise excluded for
a period of time. This was a fast of pleasure – a self-imposed
austerity that was engaged in to keep a person from being distracted
by worldliness in order to draw close to God and perform extraordinary
exploits for Him.

Relevance for today: As
Christian believers, we are to live in the world, yet separated from
the world. Any thing that intoxicates us (money, fame, lusts of the
flesh, etc.) will ultimately dull our spiritual senses and draw us
away from God. Today, we live in the substance of what was pictured
in that beautiful ritual act. We, who believe live in the true meaning
of that symbolic act, refrain from becoming intoxicated by anything
that might draw us away from intimacy with God.

Let
the locks of hair on his head grow long

Long hair in the society of that day symbolized that a person was living
under the authority and covering of another.

Relevance for today: As
believers, we now live under the authority and covering of our
Lord. We were bought with a price that He paid on the cross. Therefore,
we belong to Him and we are in covenant union with Him. Today,
we demonstrate submission through the way we conduct of our lives
- under the authority of another through dependence and obedience. We
seek Him for guidance and counsel. We obey His word. We live
our lives to serve Him and to please Him. Living this kind of lifestyle
today is a greater testimony to the world than the ritual act of
growing long hair. In this day, hair is grown (or not grown) as
a matter of preference and style. Moreover, some of us are bald
and have no choice in the matter. Therefore, hair length in this
era gives no meaningful testimony to the world. And
testimony is what the ancient Nazarite's long hair was all about.
Today, obedience and devotion to God convey the strongest possible
testimony to the world. This is a testimony that cannot be ignored. It
is important to remember that Old Testament ritual acts were shadows and types of
the reality that was to come. The substance of these shadows
and types (Col 2:16) is Christ Himself - who was, spiritually
speaking, the
perfect Nazarite. By His example and through His empowerment
(the Holy Spirit), we can live in the true meaning of the Nazarite
vow.

Don't go near to a dead person

The requirement to stay away from dead bodies is another important
symbol. It strongly suggests that the Nazarite should
not go near death because doing so would make them ritually unclean.

Relevance for
today: Succinctly stated, this
ritual refrain means don't go near sin because sin will bring spiritual
death. Romans 6:23
says that the wages of sin is death.

Jesus
certainly lived by the spiritual principles
of the Nazarite vow.
He lived a life of self-denial and separation to God the Father. The
most obvious aspect of his self-denial was His death for our sins.
Yeshua (Jesus) tells us in several parables that we also should be
living this way. Do we compartmentalize Him? In other words, do we
simply add Him to everything else we do, or do we give him every aspect
of our lives to control?

Should I take the Nazarite Vow?

Since there is no longer a Temple in Jerusalem, it is impossible to
meet the Old Testament requirements for entering into the Nazarite Vow.
Actually, that's a good thing. The reason why that it is a good thing
is because, when Christ died for us, He established a new and better
Temple within us (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). Today we make our connection
to God and please Him through our spirit man. We were given
a new spirit on the day we were born again. Now, we can please Him through
our spiritual connection to Him. We are connected to God through the
Holy Spirit, and the fruit of that connection is love, joy, peace, long-suffering,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians
5:22). These are our Heavenly Father’s attributes! Yes, you are
being conformed to His likeness. If you draw near to Him and walk in
these attributes as you grow in Him, you will please God more than entering
into a ritual act or anything else you could possibly do for Him.

How Can I live in the world, but not be of the world?

By definition the word "world" (as often used in the bible)
refers to a world system ruled by Satan. Jesus said that believers are
no longer of the world—we are no longer ruled by sin, nor are we
bound by the principles of the world. In addition, we are being changed
into the image of Christ, causing our interest in the things of the world
to become less and less as we mature in Him.

Believers in Jesus Christ are simply in the world—physically present—but
not of it, not part of its values (John 17:14-15). As believers, we should
be set apart from the world. This is the meaning of being holy and living
a holy, righteous life—to be set apart. We are not to engage in
the sinful activities the world promotes, nor are we to retain the insipid,
corrupt mind that the world creates. Rather, we are to conform ourselves,
and our minds, to that of Jesus Christ (Romans 12:1-2). This is a daily
activity and commitment.

We must also understand that being in the world, but not of it, is necessary
if we are to be a light to those who are in spiritual darkness. We are
to live in such a way that those outside the faith see our good deeds
and our manner and know that there is something “different” about
us. Christians who make every effort to live, think and act like those
who do not know Christ do Him a great disservice. Even the heathen knows
that “by their fruits you shall know them,” and as Christians,
we should exhibit the fruit of the Spirit within us.

Being “in” the world also means we can enjoy the things
of the world, such as the beautiful creation God has given us, but we
are not to immerse ourselves in what the world values, nor are we to
chase after worldly pleasures. Pleasure is no longer our calling in life,
as it once was, but rather the worship of God. Living the Nazarite Vow
today means that we must separate ourselves from the world and live our
lives for Him.

Yes, you can still live a normal (supernatural) life. Love your neighbor.
Be kind and gentle to those who differ with you. Love, even your enemy.
Yes, you can still live a normal life, but if you do it the Lord's way,
the world will see the extraordinary work He has done in you heart and
in your life. And they will want what you have!

How can I live the Nazarite Lifestyle?

You live the Nazarite lifestyle by wholly dedicating your life to God.
Isn't that what you did when you were born again? Yes, it is! I know
it is what you intended when you gave yourself to Him, my friend. No
Nazarite could ever draw closer to God than you have today. Their righteousness
was based upon things they did. But your righteousness is based upon
a free gift through the sacrifice of our Lord. And now, you are treated
by God the Father as if you were Christ Himself! Isn't that incredibly
wonderful?

May
I suggest a book called "The Cost of Discipleship" by Dietrich
Bonnhoffer. The author helps the reader to count the costs of knowing
Yeshua. May each of us enter into a wholehearted love of God and be
separated to the Lord.

If
you do not yet know the Lord, today could be your day of salvation. A
simple heartfelt
prayer is all that is needed.